March 21, 2016 - Diocese of Alexandria

CHURCH
Volume XLVII, No. 3
www.diocesealex.org
TODAY
Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970
March 21, 2016
ON THE
INSIDE
Holy Week, Easter Triduum,
Easter Sunday, and Divine
Mercy Sunday
At the height of the busiest
liturgical season of the year, parishes are offering a variety of services
throughout the diocese. Check
out some of the services on pg. 5
and 19, and on our website at www.
diocesealex.org.
Cleanup continues after
historic statewide flooding
The Governor’s Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) continues to coordinate the state’s response to the current historic flood
event that began March 9. People
in churches, schools, homes, and
businesses continue to wait for the
waters to recede and for the roads
to clear. Read more on pg. 11.
Report says Catholic
population is gowing faster
than world population
The number of baptized
Catholics worldwide has grown at a
faster rate than that of the world’s
population, according to Vatican
statistics. Read more statistics from
the Vatican on pg. 3.
HE IS RISEN!
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 2
MARCH 21, 2016
Bishop Douglas Deshotel appointed new bishop of Lafayette diocese
WA S H I N G T O N — P o p e
Francis has named Bishop J.
Douglas Deshotel, 64, as bishop
of the Diocese of Lafayette, La.,
and accepted the resignation of
Bishop C. Michael Jarrell, 75,
from pastoral governance of that
diocese.
Bishop Deshotel has served
as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Dallas since 2010.
The appointment was publicized in Washington, February
17, by Archbishop Carlo Maria
Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the
United States.
John Douglas Deshotel was
born in Kinder, La., January 6,
1952. He attended the University
of Dallas, where he earned Bach-
elor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees. He was ordained a
priest for the Diocese of Dallas
on May 13, 1978.
Assignments after ordination
included parochial vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Dallas, 1978-1980;
parochial vicar, St. Anthony Parish, Longview, Texas, 1980-1982;
parochial vicar, St. Elizabeth of
Hungary Parish, 1982-1983; parochial vicar, St. Thomas Aquinas
Parish, Longview, 1983-1988;
pastor, St. William Parish, Greenville, Texas, 1988-1992; pastor,
St. John Nepomucene Parish,
Ennis, Texas, 1992-1995; and
pastor, St. Luke Parish, Irving,
Texas, 1995-2001.
He also served as vice-rector,
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel
New bishop of Lafayette
Bishop Michael Jarrell
Retired bishop of Lafayette
Holy Trinity Seminary, Irving,
2001-2005; pastor, St. Monica
and St. Juan Diego Parish, Dallas, 2006-2008; pastor, St. Joseph
Parish, Richardson, Texas, 20082012; and vicar general and moderator of the curia, 2008-present.
Other responsibilities include
the diocesan prebyteral council,
priest’s personnel board and diocesan review board. Pope Benedict
XVI appointed him an auxiliary
bishop of Dallas on March 11,
2010. He was ordained a bishop
April 27 of that year.
Charles Michael Jarrell was
born May 15, 1940 in Opelousas, La., and ordained a priest of
Lafayette on June 3, 1967. Pope
John Paul II named him bishop of
Houma-Thibodaux on December
29, 1992. He was ordained a bishop March 4, 1993. He has served
as bishop of Lafayette since 2002.
4 Missionaries of Charity, 14 others murdered in Yemen
(CNS) -- The four Missionaries of Charity (order founded by
Blessed Teresa of Kolkata) murdered March 4 in Yemen “are the
martyrs of today,” Pope Francis
said. “They gave their blood for
the church.”
After reciting the Angelus
with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square March
6, Pope Francis publicly offered
his condolences to the Missionaries of Charity and prayed
that Blessed Teresa of Kolkata
would “accompany to paradise
these daughters of hers, martyrs
of charity, and that she would
FOUR MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY MURDERED in Yemen while working
in a home for the elderly and disabled. Fourteen others were also killed in the
attack. The Mother Superior survived by hiding.
intercede for peace and a sacred
respect for human life.”
The four Missionaries of
Charity and 12 other people were
killed by uniformed gunmen, who
entered the home the sisters operate for the elderly and disabled in
Aden.
The superior of the Missionaries of Charity at the home
survived by hiding, according to
the Vatican’s Fides news agency.
Father Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian
Salesian priest who had been living at the home since Holy Family Parish in Aden was sacked and
burned in September, was miss-
ing after the attack.
Although the sisters would
not make news headlines, Pope
Francis said, the martyred sisters
“gave their blood for the church.”
The sisters and the 14 others
killed “are victims of the attack
by those who killed them, but
also (victims) of indifference, this
globalization of indifference that
just doesn’t care,” the pope said.
Yemen has been experiencing a political crisis since 2011
and is often described as being in
a state of civil war with members
of the Shiite and Sunni Muslim
Continued on pg. 4
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MARCH 21, 2016
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 3
Report says Catholic population is growing faster than world’s population
By Junno Arochio Esteves
Catholic News Service
(CNS) -- The number of baptized Catholics worldwide has
grown at a faster rate than that of
the world’s population, according
to Vatican statistics.
Although the number of
priests has increased globally, the
number has decreased slightly in
Europe and Oceania, according
to the Vatican’s Central Office for
Church Statistics.
The figures are presented in
the “Annuario Pontificio 2016,”
the Vatican yearbook, and will appear in the Statistical Yearbook of
the Church, which gives detailed
figures on the church’s workforce, sacramental life, dioceses
and parishes as of Dec. 31, 2014.
The number of baptized
Catholics reached 1.27 billion or
17.8 percent of the global population, the statistics office reported
March 5.
Despite the increase of Catholics worldwide, the yearbook
noted a “less dynamic” growth of
only 2 percent in Europe. While
the continent is home to almost
40 percent of the Catholic global population, the percent of the
world’s Catholics living in Europe has slowly decreased over
the past nine years, it said.
However, with the exception of Oceania, the number of
baptized Catholics has grown
faster than the general population
New figures on the Catholic Church
as of Dec. 31, 2014
Global Catholic Population
1.27 billion
18% of global Baptized Catholics world-wide
population
Number of baptized Catholics has grown faster
than the general population growth on every continent.
Global Catholic Workforce
20142013
Bishops
5,237
4,841
Priests415,792
Permanent Deacons
44,566
43,100 *
Africa saw a 41% increase in baptized Catholics; Asia saw a 20% increase.
Religious Brothers
54,559
55,253
Highest percentage of Catholics is in North and South America.
Candidates for Priesthood
116,939
118,251
growth on every continent.
“The African continent remains without a doubt the one
with the highest growth,” the report said; the number of Catholics
in Africa increased by 41 percent,
while the number of Catholics in
Asia grew by 20 percent.
The percentage of baptized
Catholics as part of the general
population remains highest in
North and South America where
they “make up almost half” of the
world’s Catholics, it said.
The number of bishops of
the world continued to increase,
reaching 5,237 worldwide compared to 4,841 a year earlier.
The total number of priests
-- diocesan and religious order
-- around the world was 415,792,
which the report said was statistically “stable.” There was a steady
increase of diocesan priests in Africa, Asia and Central and South
America, while numbers in North
America, Europe and Oceania
continued to decrease.
The number of permanent
deacons reported -- 44,566 -- was
an increase of more than 1,000
over the previous year.
The number of religious
brothers was down slightly, going
from a total of 55,253 at the end
of 2013 to a total of 54,559 at the
end of 2014.
The number of women in
religious orders continued to decrease, dropping by 10,846 in
2014. The biggest decreases were
seen in North and South America,
Europe & Oceania while numbers
in Africa & Asia continue to rise.
The number of candidates for
the priesthood -- both diocesan
seminarians and members of religious orders -- who had reached
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the level of philosophy and theology studies showed a slight
downturn. The number of candidates fell to 116,939 men at the
end of 2014 compared to 118,251
men at the end of 2013.
The variation in the number of men training to become
priests varies by continent, the
report said. There is an “evident
decline” in the numbers from Europe and North America, while
“Africa and Asia show great vitality,” it said.
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 4
MARCH 21, 2016
The flagellation and crucifixion of Jesus Christ explained
By Dan Gonzalez
www.massexplained.com
During Lent, the readings
and prayers of the Church focus
on the Passion of Christ. Collectively, the last two weeks of
Lent are called Passion Time.
The first week is called Passion
Week, while the second, is known
as Holy Week. Part of Christ’s
suffering commemorated during
Holy Week is the Scourging or
Flagellation of Christ.
Before crucifixion, the condemned would often endure
flagellation. A whip with leather
strands called a flagrum or flagellum in Latin—scourge in English—was fashioned with pieces
Our 40-day Season of Lent
is nearing completion leading us
into the shortest season of the
year: The Easter Triduum. The
solemn liturgies of Holy Week
lead us into the fifty days of Easter. It is interesting to note that the
Easter Season is longer than Lent,
helping us recall that Easter is the
great victory feast.
I offer my congratulations
and welcome to all who were received into the sacramental life of
the Church this Easter. May the
joy of our risen Lord be a great
source of strength and encouragement to you..
Our 2016 Annual Diocesan
of metal or bone and used to lash
the back, shoulders and legs of
the convict. At first, the skin and
underlying fat were torn. Then
the muscles and tendons were
slashed, including the vessels that
supply blood to the tissues.
stripes. Thirteen hits rendered 39
stripes. Adding another lashing
would exceed the number by two.
There is no evidence, however,
that the Romans had any set limit
to how many lashes were given.
39 lashings
The vast amount of blood
loss during the scourging, however, would often send the victim
into circulatory shock and unconsciousness—leading many to
death. The historian Eusebius of
Caesarea describes the flagellation of Christians who were martyred:
“…their bodies were frightfully lacerated. Christian martyrs in Smyrna were so torn by
the scourges that their veins were
laid bare, and the inner muscles,
sinews, even entrails, were exposed.” —Eusebius of Caesarea
A devestating punishment
There was no Roman law
limiting the number of flagrum
blows the condemned received,
and the Bible does not reveal how
many Jesus endured. Tradition,
however, holds that Christ received 39 lashings. There are several reasons for this odd number.
The Law of Moses states:
“Forty lashes may be given,
but no more; or else, if more lash-
ONE IN
THE LORD
Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog
Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria
Appeal has begun very well.
Thanks to all of you who have
already made your gift or pledge.
I will soon be celebrating confirmation throughout the
diocese. The clear faith of these
young people is an inspiration to
us all.
I pray that you will experience the great joy of Easter as we
continue on our path of faith during this jubilee Year of Mercy.
Missionaries of Charity murdered
Continued from pg. 2
communities vying for power; in
the midst of the tensions, terrorist groups have been operating
in the country, including groups
believed to be associated with
the so-called Islamic State and alQaida.
Although most Christians
have fled the country, a handful
of Salesian priests and about 20
Missionaries of Charity chose to
stay and continue their ministry.
In a condolence message released March 5 by the Vatican,
Pope Francis described the Aden
murders as an “act of senseless
and diabolical violence.”
The pope “prays that this
pointless slaughter will awaken
consciences, lead to a change of
heart, and inspire all parties to lay
down their arms and take up the
path of dialogue,” the message
said. “In the name of God, he
calls upon all parties in the present conflict to renounce violence,
and to renew their commitment to
the people of Yemen, particularly
those most in need, whom the
sisters and their helpers sought to
serve.”
Bishop Paul Hinder, head
of the vicariate of Southern Arabia, which includes Yemen, told
AsiaNews, a Rome-based missionary news agency, that at
8:30 a.m. March 4, “persons in
uniform” broke into the Aden
compound, killing the guard and
all employees who tried to stop
them. “They then reached the sisters and opened fire.”
Two of the sisters killed were
Rwandan, one was from India and
one was from Kenya, the bishop
said. Father Uzhunnalil apparent-
ly was kidnapped, he added.
“The signal was clear: This
has to do with religion,” Bishop
Hinder said.
In a statement released
March 8, the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee said that, through
their sacrifice, the “martyrs of
charity” were “transformed into
signs of Christ’s victory over sin,
violence and death.” They echoed
the remarks of Pope Francis and
invited people to join in solidarity
with people “who see their lives
threatened by evil, indifference,
hatred, and terrorism.”
The bishops also urged the
U.S. State Department to issue a
declaration that genocide is occurring against Christians, Yezedis and other religious minorities
in the Middle East.
es are added to these many blows,
your brother will be degraded in
your sight.” —Deuteronomy 25:3
Some scholars say that, for
fear of exceeding God’s limit,
Jewish practice by Jesus’ time
had reduced the number to 39,
in case the person administering
the blows were to lose count. The
Apostle Paul received this number:
“Five times I received from
the Jews the forty lashes minus
one.” —2 Corinthians 11:24
It is also believed that a Roman flagrum had three bands of
leather, making every strike three
CHURCH
Crowning with thorns
After the scourging, the
Scriptures say that Christ was
taken by soldiers into the praetorium—the palace of Pontius
Pilate, the Roman procurator of
Judea. Jesus was surrounded by
a cohort of soldiers (300 to 600
soldiers) and a crown woven of
thorns was placed on his head.
While the Bible does not
Continued on next page (pg 5)
TODAY
Volume XLVII, No. 3 • March 21, 2016
P. O. Box 7417 • Alexandria, LA 71303
churchtoday@diocesealex.org 318-445-6424
Publisher:
Editor:
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Circulation:
Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of Alexandria
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THE CHURCH TODAY (USPS 393-240) is published by the Catholic
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the parishes in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. Out of diocese
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CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
PAGE 5
Holy Week & Easter
Holy Thursday, March 24
5:30 p.m. -- Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral,
Alexandria (Note: no 12:05 p.m. Mass on Holy Thursday)
5:30 p.m. -- Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Washing of the Feet,
Adoration until midnight, St. Rita Church, Alexandria
6:00 p.m. -- Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Mandatum (followed by
Parish meal and Adoration), Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville
6:00 p.m. -- Mass of the Lord’s Supper (followed by Adoration until
10:00 p.m.), Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Woodworth
6:00 p.m. -- St. Louis Church, Glenmora
6:00 p.m. -- St. Peter Church, Bordelonville
7:00 p.m. -- Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed by Solemn Adoration until
midnight, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
7:00 p.m. -- Mass, MB of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
7:00 p.m. -- Mass followed by Adoration, St. Patrick Church, Ferriday
Good Friday, March 25
specify what kind of plant was
used, any size thorn would cause
blood loss as it forced its way
through the scalp. Jesus was also
forced to carry a reed and wear
a scarlet robe—attire reserved
for royalty. With an improvised
crown, imperial robe and mock
scepter, Jesus was ridiculed, spat
upon and struck by soldiers who
knelt before him saying, Hail,
King of the Jews.
Fulfilling prophecy
After a vicious scourging,
Jesus was mocked while wearing
a crown of thorns and a scarlet
robe—a cruel parody of the regalia worn by the emperor. The actions by the Roman soldiers unwittingly carried great symbolism
and fulfilled prophecy.
Thorns represent man’s disobedience. In the Garden of Eden,
Adam and Eve were told by God
that they could eat from any tree
except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but they
were persuaded by the serpent to
eat the forbidden fruit.
God then tells Adam that the
ground is cursed, and, despite his
great labor in cultivating it:
“thorns and thistles shall it
bring forth to you.” —Genesis
3:18
The color of the cloak placed
on
Jesus—scarlet—represents
sin:
“Though your sins be like
scarlet, they may become white
as snow…” —Isaiah 1:18
By wearing the crown of
thorns and the scarlet robe, Christ
is taking on himself the icons of
the fall of man and of humanity’s
sin. In addition to having symbolic meaning, Christian writers see
the scourging as fulfilling prophecy.
Isaiah’s prophecy is realized
by Christ’s stripes—the marks on
his back left by the flagrum:
“…with his stripes we are
healed.” —Isaiah 53:5
By hitting Jesus, the soldiers
fulfill Micah’s Messianic vision:
“With the rod they strike on
the cheek the ruler of Israel.” —
Micah 4:14
Sacrifice Typology
Christ’s flagellation also has
a typological aspect. In Biblical typology, a story from the
Old Testament (type) prefigures
one found in the New Testament
(antitype). In the story of the sacrifice of Isaac, theologians see
Christological typology.
In the narrative, God provides a ram (a male sheep) as a
replacement for the sacrifice of
Abraham’s only son. The ram was
found caught by his horns (head)
in a thicket (thorny bush), foreshadowing the crown of thorns
worn by Christ, the lamb of God.
Three of the four Gospels tell
of the scourging of Christ. The accounts do much more than merely
relay historical events. The flagellation is full of symbolism and
fulfilled prophecy: it was the antitype to Old Testament types.
The soldiers spat on Jesus,
knelt before him and jeered:
“Hail, King of the Jews” —
Matthew 27:29
The words, intended as a
mockery, express an eternal truth.
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9:00 a.m. -- Living Stations Walk, Mater Dolorosa Church, Plaucheville
10:00 a.m. -- Outdoor Way of the Cross, MB of the Immaculate Conception,
Natchitoches
12:05 p.m. -- The Way of the Cross, St. Rita Church, Alexandria
12:40 p.m. -- Passion Walk (Way of the Cross) from Cathedral up Elliott St.
to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
3:00 p.m. -- The Passion of the Lord, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral,
Alexandria (Note: no 12:05 p.m. Mass on Good Friday)
3:00 p.m. -- Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Our Lady of Prompt
Succor Church, Alexandria
3:00 p.m. -- Way of the Cross, Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Woodworth
3:00 p.m. -- Good Friday service, MB of the Immaculate Conception,
Natchitoches
3:00 p.m. -- St. Peter Mission, Elmer
3:00 p.m. -- St. Gerard Mission, Jonesville
3:00 p.m. -- Good Friday service, St. Peter Church, Bordelonville
5:30 p.m. -- Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Veneration of the Cross
and Holy Communion, St. Rita Church, Alexandria
6:00 p.m. -- Stations of the Cross, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church,
Alexandria
6:00 p.m. -- Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Sacred Heart
of Jesus, Pineville
6:00 p.m. -- Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, Mary, Mother of
Jesus Church, Woodworth
6:00 p.m. -- St. Patrick Church, Ferriday
Holy Saturday, March 26
3:00 p.m. -- Confessions, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
7:53 p.m. -- Great Vigil of Easter, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville
8:00 p.m. -- Easter Vigil, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria
(Note: no 4:00 p.m. Mass on Holy Saturday)
Continued on pg. 19
PAGE 6
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
MARCH 21, 2016
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE7
71 to enter into full communion of
the Catholic Church this Easter
Seventy-one people, from
15 parishes in the diocese, are
expected to be received into
full communion of the Catholic
Church this Easter.
The 19 catechumens (never
been baptized) and the 52 candidates (validly baptized in another
faith), along with their sponsors,
participated in a Rite of Election
Feb. 14 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. As each of them declared
their intention to become Catholic, Bishop Ronald Herzog accepted them as chosen in the Lord
(the Elect).
“I now declare you to be
members of the Elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at
the next Easter Vigil,” said the
bishop during the Rite.
At Easter, the Elect will be
fully initiated into the Church and
will participate for the first time in
the sacraments of Reconciliation,
Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
Those who are expected to
enter into Full Communion are:
Holy Cross, Natchitoches:
Mark Vernon II, catechumen;
and Joseph Taitano, Haley Nicole
Blount, Marissa Shontel Morris,
Clayton Leo Carr, and Kaitlyn
McCullough, candidates.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Tioga: Duke A. Goudeau and
Nikol Perez, catechumens; and
Ronnie Thompson and Joycelyn
Lorio, candidates.
Mater Dolorosa, Plaucheville:
Madelyn Dupuis, catechumen; Alexis Barker, Aaron
Barker, and Avery Lemoine, candidates.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Alexandria: Scott Woodcock,
catechumen; and Lee Broom,
Anthony Murray, Aimee Butler,
Sarah McDaniel, Kirk Hallquist,
Johnny Cheek, Brad Blackwood,
and Noel Fontane, candidates.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Winnfield: Dustin Procell, candidate.
Sacred Heart, Pineville:
Juan Anaya, Miguel Anaya, Gabriel Clark, Sean Cross, Carolyn
Glaze, Maddie Glaze, Carlene
Hunton, Triston Newcomb, Gabriel Witty, catechumens; Brandi
Bell, Grace Bell, John Mark Bell,
Riley Bell, Joe Dessens, Dwayne
Falks, Josh Newcomb, and Benjamin Spruill, candidates.
St. Augustine, Isle Brevelle:
Michelle Demery and Kathleen
Dunlap, candidates.
St. Edward, Fishville: Martin Collins, Kori Chelette, and
Jordon Boyette, candidates.
St. Frances Cabrini, Alexandria: Heather Anne Bandy,
Lawrence Hobdy, and Lavena
Sherrod, candidates.
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria: Alex Davis,
catechumen.
St. Joseph, Cheneyville: Allen Hoyt and Charles Harper, candidates.
St. Joseph, Marksville:
Paige Lucas, catechumen; and
Kryssi Threeton and Robert
Schexnayder, candidates.
St. Juliana, Alexandria:
Dondre Head and Gavin Patterson, candidates.
St. Michael the Archangel,
Leesville: John Haynes II, catechumen; and Lauren Breaux,
Cory Burggraff, and Lindsey
Burggraff, candidates.
St. Rita, Alexandria: Daylien Cloessner and Hunter Howell, catechumens; and Shannon
Alford, Michael Boatner, Taylor
Courville, Linda Faraldo, Mary
Habig, Matthew Hill, Sonya Hill,
Donald Mote, and Alish Sylvia,
candidates.
Director of Vocations blesses Air Evac helicopter
Fr. Louis Sklar, director of vocations, blessed the air ambulance
for Air Evac Lifeteam in Kinder. The grand opening was held Mar. 15 for
the newest Air Evac base in Kinder, Base 125. Many of the helicopters
receive an unofficial name given by their crews and many local supporters. The name for the helicopter of Base 125 is Talokka’ Coba which
is translated from Coushatta as EAGLE. The Diocese of Alexandria is
also served by Base 99 in Natchez who flies ELVIS and Base 100 in
Rayville who has not named their helicopter. Air Evac Lifeteam is a major sponsor of the Bishop’s Invitational Golf Tournament which benefits
Seminarian Education. Pictured are Rhonda Williams, Mack McKinsey,
Michael Dore, Fr. Louis Sklar, Kiarha Walker and Sandy Roberts (Manager of Base 125 and Base 99)
Seminarian Burses
February Donations
Knights of Columbus Council 9217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00
Father Adrian L. Molenschot Burse
Deacon and Mrs. Rodrick Broussard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Monsignor Milburn Broussard Burse
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Schupbach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Monsignor Steve Testa Burse
Bayou Chateau Nursing Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00
Floyd J. LaCour, Sr. Burse
Tri-Community Nursing Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Floyd J. LaCour, Sr. Burse
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.00
Father Daniel Corkery Burse
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $575.00
A Seminary Burse is an invested sum of money, the interest of which is used in
perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood. Contributions to
any of the burses or to establish a new burse should be sent to:
Diocese of Alexandria Chancery Office • P.O Box 7417
• Alexandria, LA 71306-0417
Mark your Calendar:
Upcoming
Ordinations
Mark your calendars now for
two upcoming ordinations this
summer:
Saturday, June 11
Deacon John Wiltse will be ordained a priest on Saturday, June
11 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier
Cathedral.
Saturday, July 9
Seminarians Derek Ducote, Daniel Hart, and Gus “Dutch” Voltz
will be ordained as deacons on
Saturday, July 9 at 10 a.m. at St.
Francis Xavier Cathedral.
More information will be provided later.
PAGE 8
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
Novena to the Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday, March 25
Day 1 -- Good Friday, March 25
Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS,
and immerse them in the ocean of My
mercy. In this way you will console
Me in the bitter grief into which the
loss of souls plunges Me.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose
very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not
look upon our sins but upon our trust
which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode
of Your Most Compassionate Heart,
and never let us escape from It. We
beg this of You by Your love which
unites You to the Father and the Holy
Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded
in the Most Compassionate Heart of
Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful
Passion show us Your mercy, that we
may praise the omnipotence of Your
mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Day 2 -- Saturday, March 26
Today bring to Me THE SOULS
OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS,
and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me
strength to endure My bitter Passion.
Through them as through channels
My mercy flows out upon mankind.
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom
comes all that is good, increase Your
grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may
perform worthy works of mercy; and
that all who see them may glorify the
Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen
ones in Your vineyard—upon the
souls of priests and religious; and
endow them with the strength of Your
blessing. For the love of the Heart of
Your Son in which they are enfolded,
impart to them Your power and light,
that they may be able to guide others
in the way of salvation and with one
voice sing praise to Your boundless
mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Day 3 -Easter Sunday, March 27
Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and
immerse then in the ocean of My
mercy. The souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They
were that drop of consolation in the
midst of an ocean of bitterness.
Most Merciful Jesus, from the
treasury of Your mercy, You impart
Your graces in great abundance to
Day 1:
“Today bring to Me
All Mankind,
Especially All Sinners.”
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon
humble souls, and upon little children
who are enfolded in the abode which
is the Most Compassionate Heart of
Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their
fragrance rises from the earth and
reaches Your very throne. Father
of mercy and of all goodness, I beg
You by the love You bear these souls
and by the delight You take in them:
Bless the whole world, that all souls
together may sing out the praises of
Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day 7 -- Thursday, March 31
each and all. Receive us into the
abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart and never let us escape from
It. We beg this grace of You by that
most wonderous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns
so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon
the inheritance of Your Son. For the
sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant
them Your blessing and surround
them with Your constant protection.
Thus may they never fail in love or
lose the treasure of the holy faith, but
rather, with all the hosts of Angels
and Saints, may they glorify Your
boundless mercy for endless ages.
Amen.
Day 4-Easter Monday, March 28
Today bring to Me THOSE WHO
DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD* AND
THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW
ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future
zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse
them in the ocean of My mercy.
Most compassionate Jesus,
You are the Light of the whole world.
Receive into the abode of Your Most
Compassionate Heart the souls of
those who do not believe in God and
of those who as yet do not know You.
Let the rays of Your grace enlighten
them that they, too, together with us,
may extol Your wonderful mercy;
and do not let them escape from the
abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who
do not believe in You, and of those
who as yet do not know You, but who
are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to
the light of the Gospel. These souls
do not know what great happiness it
is to love You. Grant that they, too,
may extol the generosity of Your
mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day 5 -- Tuesday, March 29
Today bring to Me THE SOULS
OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY
CHURCH,* and immerse them in the
ocean of My mercy. During My bitter
Passion they tore at My Body and
Heart, that is, My Church. As they
return to unity with the Church, My
wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness
Itself, You do not refuse light to those
who seek it of You. Receive into the
abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart the souls of those who have
separated themselves from Your
Church. Draw them by Your light into
the unity of the Church, and do not let
them escape from the abode of Your
Most Compassionate Heart; but bring
it about that they, too, come to glorify
the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who
have separated themselves from
Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused
Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon
their errors, but upon the love of Your
own Son and upon His bitter Passion,
which He underwent for their sake,
since they, too, are enclosed in His
Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it
about that they also may glorify Your
great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day 6 -- Wednesday, March 30
Today bring to Me THE MEEK
AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE
SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN,
and immerse them in My mercy.
These souls most closely resemble
My Heart. They strengthened Me
during My bitter agony. I saw them
as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil
at My altars. I pour out upon them
whole torrents of grace. Only the
humble soul is capable of receiving
My grace. I favor humble souls with
My confidence.
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I
am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most
Compassionate Heart all meek
and humble souls and the souls of
little children. These souls send all
heaven into ecstasy and they are the
heavenly Father’s favorites. They are
a sweet-smelling bouquet before the
throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls
have a permanent abode in Your
Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a
hymn of love and mercy.
Today bring to Me THE SOULS
WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE
AND GLORIFY MY MERCY, and
immerse them in My mercy. These
souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My
spirit. They are living images of My
Compassionate Heart. These souls
will shine with a special brightness in
the next life. Not one of them will go
into the fire of hell. I shall particularly
defend each one of them at the hour
of death.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose
Heart is Love Itself, receive into the
abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are
mighty with the very power of God
Himself. In the midst of all afflictions
and adversities they go forward,
confident of Your mercy; and united
to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls
will not be judged severely, but Your
mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify
and venerate Your greatest attribute,
that of Your fathomless mercy, and
who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These
souls are a living Gospel; their hands
are full of deeds of mercy, and their
hearts, overflowing with joy, sing
a canticle of mercy to You, O Most
High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have
placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus,
who said to them that during their life,
but especially at the hour of death,
the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will
defend as His glory. Amen.
Continued on pg. 9
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
Divine Mercy’s Message
The message and devotion
to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is
based on the writings of Saint
Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience
to her spiritual director, wrote a
diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received
about God’s mercy. Even before
her death in 1938, the devotion to
The Divine Mercy had begun to
spread.
In 2002, Pope John Paul II
officially established Divine Mercy Sunday and set it as the second
Sunday of Easter (Sunday after
Easter).
The Divine Mercy message
is one we can call to mind simply
by remembering ABC:
A - Ask for His Mercy. God
wants us to approach Him in
prayer constantly, repenting of
our sins and asking Him to pour
His mercy out upon us and upon
the whole world.
B - Be merciful. God wants
us to receive His mercy and let
it flow through us to others. He
wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does
to us.
C - Completely trust in Jesus.
God wants us to know that the
graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we
trust in Jesus, the more we will
receive.
In the Diary of St. Faustina,
Our Lord made 12 promises to
anyone who prays the DM chaplet and venerates the image.
Divine Mercy Novena From page 8
Day 8 -- Friday, April 1
Divine Mercy Schedule
Sunday, April 3
11:30 a.m. Mary, Mother of Jesus (Woodworth) DM Chaplet after 10:30 Mass
2:00 p.m. OLPS (Alexandria) Confessions
3:00 p.m. OLPS (Alexandria) Divine Mercy Sunday Service
2:00 p.m. St. Frances Cabrini (Alexandria) Confessions
3:00 p.m. St. Frances Cabrini (Alexandria) Divine Mercy Holy Hour
3:00 p.m. Holy Ghost Church (Marksville) Divine Mercy Chaplet
3:00 p.m. St. Anthony Church (Natchitoches) Divine Mercy Chaplet
3:00 p.m. St. Peter Church (Bordelonville) Divine Mercy Chaplet
3:00 p.m. Our Lady of Lourdes (Fifth Ward) Divine Mercy Chaplet
3:30 p.m. Minor Basilica Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
High Mass (Latin) followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet
Throughout the Year of Mercy (Dec. 8, 2015 - Nov. 20, 2016), St. Louis
Church (Glenmora) prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet 15 minutes before
EVERY Mass celebrated -- even in its missions of St. Peter in Elmer and St
Jude in Sieper.
For an updated list of Divine Mercy Services, go to www.diocesealex.org
PAGE 9
Today bring to Me THE SOULS
WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the
abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents
of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly
loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your
power to bring them relief. Draw all
the indulgences from the treasury of
My Church and offer them on their
behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy;
so I bring into the abode of Your Most
Compassionate Heart the souls in
Purgatory, souls who are very dear
to You, and yet, who must make
retribution to Your justice. May the
streams of Blood and Water which
gushed forth from Your Heart put out
the flames of Purgatory, that there,
too, the power of Your mercy may be
celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in
Purgatory, who are enfolded in the
Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus.
I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion
of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred
Soul was flooded: Manifest Your
mercy to the souls who are under
Your just scrutiny. Look upon them
in no other way but only through the
Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that
there is no limit to Your goodness
and compassion. Amen.
Day 9 -- Saturday, April 2
Today bring to Me SOULS WHO
HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, and
immerse them in the abyss of My
mercy. These souls wound My Heart
most painfully. My soul suffered the
most dreadful loathing in the Garden
of Olives because of lukewarm souls.
They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it
be Your will.’ For them, the last hope
of salvation is to run to My mercy.
Most compassionate Jesus,
You are Compassion Itself. I bring
lukewarm souls into the abode of
Your Most Compassionate Heart. In
this fire of Your pure love, let these
tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled
You with such deep loathing, be once
again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them
into the very ardor of Your love, and
bestow upon them the gift of holy
love, for nothing is beyond Your
power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who
are nonetheless enfolded in the Most
Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His
three-hour agony on the Cross: Let
them, too, glorify the abyss of Your
mercy. Amen.
During the Solemn Novena leading to
Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of
Divine Mercy should be offered each
day for the day’s intentions.
PAGE 10
CHURCH TODAY
VIANNEY HALL, the resident hall where diocesan seminarian Thomas Kennedy lives, was flooded March 11. St. Joseph Seminary spent $5 milllion on
renovations to the residential hall in 2014.
MARCH 21, 2016
BENET HALL, a six-hundred seat auditorium with modern stage and equipment on the campus of St. Joseph Abbey
and Seminary College, was one of several buildings on campus flooded by the recent stormwater. Classes were
cancelled, as well as the annual Abbey Youth Fest, an event expected to draw more than 4,000 youth to the campus.
Flood waters fill St. Joseph Seminary; Abbey Youth Fest cancelled
By Thomas Kennedy
Diocesan seminarian
St. Joseph Abbey & Seminary
We were able to get most of my
important things upstairs into
my storage area before two and a
half feet of water rushed into my
room.
Over the next few minutes
the first floor of the monastery,
the refectory, gym, basement of
the Abbey Church, auditorium
and the majority of the cars that
were moved to higher ground
were flooded.
By 1 p.m. all of the seminarians evacuated to the upstairs of
one of the dormitories through
torso deep water that was a rushing river at this point. The river
did not crest until 8 p.m. and
when I woke up at 4 a.m. on Sat-
urday the water had receded but
unfortunately not before destroying my room, many other rooms
and facilities on campus and a
majority of the seminarians’ cars.
We (seminarians) met to pray
the Divine Office throughout the
disaster in the Oratory which was
well above the floodwaters.
Each of us learned the value
of the words from Psalm 43:2a
“When you pass through the
waters I will be with you; and
through the rivers, they shall not
overwhelm you.”
Our Lord protected our lives
though we lost material possessions. Our comfort was stripped
from us and we are learning to
walk more closely with him and
each other as we discern priesthood.
Priesthood is a life of letting
go of our will and putting others
and their needs before our own.
This flood, as bad as it was, is a
great opportunity for us to grow
in our love for Jesus and our
neighbors.
The seminary will be closed
for a week and recovery for the
seminary and monastery will take
a long time. Please pray for us as
we try to recover the remainder of
this semester academically, and
for those who lost life or property
around the state.
Teacher Positions Available
2016-2017 School Year
St. Anthony of Padua School
Bunkie, LA
English Language Arts Teacher needed for
grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Third grade teacher needed for all subjects.
Interested and qualified persons please
send resume to:
Martha Coulon, St. Anthony School
116 S. Knoll, Bunkie, LA 71322
Bring this ad coupon AND your
church bulletin from this week for
10% off!
MARCH 2016
Louisiana faced crippling
floods during the month of
March. Many families have been
displaced and their lives changed
forever. Sadly, there have also
been fatalities.
The severe weather forecasted caused Saint Joseph Abbey and
Seminary College in Covington
to cancel its annual Abbey Youth
Fest which has been celebrated
for the past 15 years. The seminarians (including those from
the Diocese of Alexandria) were
disappointed that the event which
we have been planning for the
past year had to be canceled 48
hours before it was to take place
on March 12. Four thousand teens
were scheduled to attend.
As a result of the cancellation we (seminarians) were expecting a relaxing four-day weekend to catch up on homework and
prepare for the remainder of the
semester.
On Friday, March 11 around
noon, water began to rise on campus. I was in the refectory eating
lunch when an announcement
was made for all students to move
their vehicles to higher ground.
At this point no one knew what
was coming.
Students and faculty began
moving vehicles and the water rose quickly. I had to jump
in knee deep water to move one
professor’s vehicle for her and
drive it to higher ground. Andrew
Flynn had to do the same. One
of my friends was nowhere to be
found so I called him to tell him
to move his SUV. He was in the
woods for a walk and the water
from the Bogue Falaya rose and
overflowed so quickly that he had
to swim in rushing neck deep water to get back to the campus. He
made it back just in time to save
his vehicle.
I returned to my room to
change out of my soaked clothes
when it became apparent that my
building was about to flood. I
lived on the first floor so I made
a phone call to a friend of mine
who lived on the second floor
of another building and he and
a few others came to my rescue.
This offer is valid at this location only:
20 MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 • (318) 704-6058
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
PAGE 11
Thousands begin cleanup after ‘100-year flood’ covers the state
By Jeannie Petrus
CT editor
The flood of 2016.
It’s being called “historic.”
It’s the flood that surpassed the
records of the worst flood in Louisiana history last recorded on
Jan.5, 1946.
Reports supplied by parishes
indicate 6,143 structures (homes,
businesses, structures) have received flood damage across the
state. The total is expected to
climb as more parishes compile
data. New problems are still being reported in some regions as
river levels continue to climb.
Thousands of people have
been forced from their homes.
This number also continues to
climb. Thousands of rescues have
been reported since March 9 including 4,255 by the Louisiana
National Guard and 700 by the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries.
Governor John Bel Edwards,
key cabinet members and a representative from FEMA have traveled to many of the hardest hit
areas for site visits.
State agencies manning the
State Emergency Operations
Center (SEOC) continue round
the clock work to meet requests
for resources from parishes impacted by the floods.
Diocese of Alexandria
Probably the hardest hit area
in the Diocese of Alexandria
was in the north-central part
which includes Natchitoches and
Winnfield.
Schools and businesses were
closed for a week due to the storm
and then the flooding waters that
ST. AUGUSTINE’S FLOODED CEMETERY. The almost 200-year-old cemetery at St. Augustine Church in Isle Brevelle was flooded by backwater from
Cane River, but no damage was reported.
RESIDENTS IN NATCHITOCHES, wait for storm waters to recede so cleanup
can begin. There were several reports of rescues in Winnfield.
resulted. Farmers lost their crops
and cattlemen lost many of their
livestock.
According to Father Charlie Ray, pastor of St. Augustine Church at Isle Brevelle, the
church stayed high and dry, but
part of the almost 200-year-old
cemetery located behind the
church was covered with water.
“The cemetery behind the
church did have some water, but
there was no damage,” he said.
However, a few miles down the
road at his mission church of St.
Anne’s at Old River, water cov-
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ered the roads, making travel
there impossible. At presstime,
Fr. Charlie had not yet been able
to assess the damages at the
church, but local residents said
the church hall had received 2-3
feet of water.
TV reports showed several
water rescues in Winnfield.
According to Father Christian Ogbanna, pastor of Our Lady
of Lourdes Church in Winnfield
said the church was fine, although
the town itself experienced flooding. He said he had to cancel
Mass in Olla last weekend because he could not get to the mission church due to closed roads.
In Natchitoches, Father John
O’Brien, pastor of St. Anthony
Church and head of the Natchitoches deanery, said, the heavy
flooding in Natchitoches shut
down schools and businesses,
but the three Catholic churches in
Natchitoches, remained dry.
“It will take time and prayer
for so many to recover from the
damage done to their homes,” he
said.
INSIDE BORROMEO HALL, a residential hall at St. Joseph seminary.
PAGE 12
CHURCH TODAY
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE. Second graders from St.
Anthony School in Bunkie visited The Bailey Place and Bayou Vista Nursing
Home on Feb. 4. They had a great time playing board games, card games,
and coloring with the residents.
MARCH 21, 2016
ST. FRANCES CABRINI PRE-K & K VISIT NURSING HOME. Pre-K and K students from St. Frances Cabrini School
visited Naomi Heights Nursing Home as a way to serve in the community for Catholic Schools Week. Kelly Lombardi
teaches kindermusic and led them in song for the residents. The students also brought the residents flowers.
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL’S CDA
POSTER WINNERS. Students in
grades 4-8 from St. Anthony School
in Bunkie competed in the Catholic
Daughters Poster contest. The topic
was “How do we care for the environment?”
STUDENT OF THE YEAR FIRST RUNNER-UPS. First runner ups are 5th
grader
, St. Mary’s Assumption School in Cottonport; 8th
grader
, Alexandria Country Day School in Alexandria; and 12th grader
) from Holy
Savior Menard High School. Pictured in back are Wendy and Matt Marchand,
; and Lori DeWitt,
.
STUDENT OF THE YEAR WINNERS FOR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS. District winners in the Non-Public school category for the state-wide Student of the Year competition were announced Feb. 17 by Thomas E. Roque superintendent
of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Alexandria. The competition is open to students in grades 5, 8, and 12.
MARCH 21, 2016
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 13
SCOUT SUNDAY. Bishop Ronald
Herzog presented Light of Christ
Awards and Parvuli Dei Awards,
to local scouts Feb. 7 after a special Mass held on Scout Sunday at
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. Both
awards recognize scouts who have
learned about their relationship with
Jesus, his people and his Church.
.
SACRED HEART CLASS HATCHING EGGS. Sacred Heart kindergartener
ST. MARY’S CHANNEL ONE VIDEO. Students in Paula Thompson’s class
at St. Mary’s in Natchitoches, put together a video that was aired Feb. 26 on
Channel One News.
watch their teacher Ms.
Barbara Lang, check the chicken
eggs in the incubator. Using an incubator donated by Avoyelles Farm Bureau, the students have taken care of
the eggs and can’t wait for them to
hatch!
Avoyelles Author Brenda Juneau visited the Pre-K and kindergarten classes at Sacred Heart School during
Catholic School Week. She presented a power point presentation of the artwork as she read one of her stories to the
children.The three books she has authored -- SanTaa Kroupee: A New Year’s Eve Tale; SanTaa Kroupee and Paquin’
Eggs on the Bayou; and SanTaa Kroupee and the Shod De Vod De Parade, were donated to the Sister Marisa Ricci
Media Center. Ms. Juneau attended Sacred Heart for awhile when she was child.
PAGE 14
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
MARCH 21, 2016
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 15
Menard’s top football recruit
signs with Jacksonville State
Holy Savior Menard’s top football recruit is going to Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Ala.
made his decision offi
tional Signing Day.
a 6’2, 290 lb. powerhouse
on b
ffensive and defensive line,
was highly sought after by four university
football programs. His senior year alone,
recorded 53 tackles and his runks racked up 1200 running yards.
says he ultimately choose JackState for the school’s strong academic program and respected reputation
both on and off the football field.
“I’m the baby in a family of ten,”
said
“My parents have always
stress
the importance of getting a
good education. That is why they choose
to send us to Menard and it is why I’ve
chosen Jacksonville State.”
Jacksonville State’s offensive line
coach, Matt Jones, said the same.
“You can find great football players,”
said Jones. “It’s when you find great men
that your football program really succeeds.
I wanted
to play for us because he
is more th
a good player on the field.
He comes from a disciplined household
and he’s a young man of strong character.
It made him a perfect candidate for our
football program.”
, a senior at Holy Savior Menard, signs a letter of intent Feb. 3 to play
football at Jacksonville State next fall.
St. Mary’s senior distance runner
wins state title in 1600 meter run
SCOTT MAGGIO, a St. Mary’s senior distance runner, wins the state title in the Division II, 1600
meter run at the LHSAA State Indoor Track and Field Championship held Feb. 13 at LSU.
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St. Mary’s senior distance runner,
used a 62 second last 400
run away with the Division
II, 1600 meter run at the LHSAA State Indoor Track and Field Championships held
Feb. 13 on the LSU campus.
Seeded fourth coming into the race,
knew that he would have to run a
ctical race to garner a state championship. As the race unfolded,
used
his experience and a strong fi
win
his first state championship.
“We came through the first half mile
split in 2:16 and the two Episcopal HS
runners surged to the leads. I knew that
if I could stay with them for the next 400
meters, I would make my move with 400
meters to go.”
And go he did.
He covered the last half of the race
once second faster than the first half to outdistance the field by 4 seconds.
“I have had five state runner-up finishes over the past two years,” he said. “I really wanted to win this one for me and my
school. I am glad that everything worked
out.”
is an eight-time All-State runner i r ss country, indoor and outdoor
track and field. He is an altar server and
member of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches.
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Award from Jeffery Sampson and Eddie Bonine, both representatives from
the LHSAA.
was recently recognized as a member of the LHSAA
All Academic Composite Team (all 4.0 students) at the 2016 Girls’ Top 28
Tournament Finals. The LHSAA All-Academic Award Program recognizes the
academic excellence of senior student-athletes. To earn composite team honors, a student-athlete’s six-semester GPA must be one of the 18 highest in all
seven classifications.
PAGE 16
CHURCH TODAY
INMATES from the Rapides Parish Detention Center spent 50 hours of free labor on the project.
FATHER DAN COOK stands on a ladder to sand and repaint the iron pipes of the bell stand outside the front of St.
Cyril Chapel in Flatwoods.
MARCH 21, 2016
VOLUNTEERS Charlie Thiels, Jacob Hebert, Al Mathews, Sean Tucker, and John Robichaux
replaced the door and door seal of the backside of St. Cyril Chapel in Flatwoods.
VOLUNTEERS from KC Council 1134, ACTS, Menard, and other places came together to repair, replace, and repaint the church hall at
St. Margaret Mary in Gorum. Father Taylor Reynolds pitched in to help as well.
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CHURCH TODAY
BEFORE ST. CYRIL CHAPEL RENOVATIONS. The small rural chapel of St. Cyril in Flatwoods has
been seriously in need of repairs for a long time. Maintenance and repairs were put off for years, due
to lack of funds, until recently, thanks to KC Council 1134, ACTS team members, and other volunteers.
PAGE 17
AFTER ST. CYRIL CHAPEL RENOVATIONS. After a small group of volunteers worked
four weekends in February to repair, replace, and re-paint the small rural chapel in Flatwoods, St. Cyril looks alive and new again.
Volunteers renovate St. Cyril, St. Margaret Mary Chapels
By Jeannie Petrus
CT editor
There’s nothing a handful of
hard-working men can’t accomplish when they pool their skills
and talents together to get a job
done.
That’s exactly what happened on four weekends in
Febraury when members of KC
Council 1134, ACTS team members, Menard students, and other
local volunteers came together
to renovate St. Cyril Chapel in
Flatwoods and St. Margaret Mary
Chapel in Gorum -- both in bad
need of repair.
It all began back in December of 2015, when Al Mathews,
the Grand Knight of the Bishop
Greco, Knights of Columbus
Council #1134 attended the 11
a.m. Mass at St. Cyril Chapel after a weekend of great deer hunting in the local area.
Father Dan Cook, chaplain of
Manna House, was the celebrant.
After the Mass, which included a small gathering of local people, Al and Father Dan
noticed some maintenance issues
around the small chapel -- rotten
boards around windows, chipped
paint all over the exterior, and
many other areas of disrepair.
“I remember us both looking
at each other and saying “This
looks like a job for the Knights of
Columbus (Council 1134),” said
Father Dan.
Together, the two made a list
of the most urgent repairs needed
and then enlisted the help and
support of KC Council 1134 as
well as some ACTS friends, and
local volunteers.
“Everyone brought family
and friends who were all willing
to pitch in and help. Even Sheriff
Hilton sent some inmates up here
for a few days to help.”
Renovations to St. Cyril in
Flatwoods included reparing the
roof, replacing windows, doors,
and the seals around the doors and
windows. The entire building was
scraped, primed, and re-painted.
Even the rusted iron pipes for the
church bell were sanded and repainted.
While the group was on a
roll, the volunteers decided to do
some work at another local chapel, St. Margaret Mary in Gorum.
At St. Margaret Mary, the
volunteers scraped and painted
the church hall -- inside and out.
On the final day of work, the
volunteers brought food to cook
and enjoyed a celebration of food
and fellowship after both projects
were completed.
“It was wonderful to see so
many people out there helping
out,” said Father Dan. “We had
professional painters, carpenters,
firemen, students, and even a few
doctors who volunteered their
time to paint, scrape, and repair.”
In addition to physical labor
required for these projects, it was
good to know that several groups
were out there praying for the success of the project -- local nursing
home residents, our seminarians,
Carmelite nuns in California, as
well as a couple in Kentucky.
“I can’t thank everyone
enough for all of the hard work
of those who gave up their weekends to work on these projects,”
said Father Dan. “It was a project that was very much needed,
but was put off for so many years
due to lack of funds. We could
not have done this project without the generous donors and hardworking volunteers who provided
free labor.
According to Father Dan,
more than $4,000 and 120 hours
of labor have been donated so far.
Anyone wishing to donate
funds to finish paying for the supplies that were used can mail a
donation to “St. Cyril Renovation
Project” c/o Father Dan Cook,
340 Park Place Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301.
PAGE18
CHURCH TODAY
ST. JULIANA CHURCH BLACK HISTORY MONTH HONOREES. St. Juliana celebrated Black History Month Feb. 28
by honoring several of its members for their work and dedication in the Church. After the presentation, a reception and
program were held in the church activity building. Pictured are (from left) Emily Boswell who is standing in for her husband honoree Percy Boswell, Tommy Milo assisting honoree Janice Clay, Juanita Boyd, Vanessa Louie, Hilda Cooper,
and Darryl Davis. Father Remi Owuamanam, SMMM, pastor of St. Juliana, is standing with the honorees in the back.
ST. JULIANA JR. KNIGHTS. Congratulations to eight young men
initiated Jan. 17 into the Jr. Knights
Council #268 at St. Juliana Church
in Alexandria.
On Sunday, Feb. 14 at the 10
a.m. Mass, they were officially presented as Jr. Knights of the Church.
DECEMBER 14, 2015
IMMIGRATION SEMINAR. CLIIC (Central Louisiana Interfaith, Immigration Center), the Central Louisiana Pro Bono Project, and the Louisiana State Bar Association hosted a Continuing Legal Education seminar Feb. 18 at the St. Joseph Catholic Center in Alexandria. Pictured
are Glenda McGraw Regnart, executive director of CLIIC, and Tinashe
Chimwaza, legal services attorney. Glenda presented Naturalization
101: A Primer for Non-Immigration Practitioners. Roughly 30 attorneys
and legal professionals attended the seminar, which was designed to
introduce local attorneys to the practice of immigration law.
DECEMBER 14, 2015
CHURCH TODAY
SIMMESPORT’S KC COUNCIL
10564 TASTE OF FAITH annual
fundraiser was held March 5 in Christ
the King Church hall. Pictured above
are members of the KC Council who
worked the fundraiser. Friends and
parishioners cooked their favorite
dishes and served samples to those
200 people who purchased tickets
for the event. At left are winners of
the “People’s Choice Award” with the
best dish. Pictured are Belinda Rabalais, Crystal, Jade, and Paul Marsh,
and Kenneth and Donna Marsh.
PAGE 19
70 years ago on March 19, 1946
Bishop Greco installed as Bishop
On March 19, 1946 --70 years ago -- the Most Reverend Charles P.
Greco was installed as the 6th bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport/
Alexandria by Archbishop Joseph Rummel of New Orleans and Bishop
Charles Jeanmard of Lafayette. He was 51 years old.
SECRETARY OF THE YEAR. Bertha Lavalais, secretary at Holy Ghost
Church in Marksville receives a
plaque from Father Edwin Rodriquez,
pastor of St. Alphonsus Church in
Hessmer for being named Secretary
of the Year in the Avoyelles area.
Father Rodriquez hosted the 12th
annual Catholic Church Secretary
Appreciation Dinner on Feb. 2 at the
St. Alphonsus Church rectory. Secretaries from 10 Catholic churches in
the Avoyelles area and their guests
attended.
SECRETARY APPRECIATION DINNER. Secretaries from the Avoyelles area who attended the 12th annual Catholic Church Secretary Appreciation Dinner on Feb. 2 at the St. Alphonsus Church rectory are Gilda Augustine, Julia
Voinche, Susan Poche, Beatrice Bordelon, Stacy Chesne, Shirley Mayeux, Juliette Linzay, Delilah Aymond, Bertha
Lavalais, Danita Coco and guest.
Easter Mass Schedule
Continued from pg. 5
8:00 p.m. -- Easter Vigil, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
8:00 p.m. -- Solemn Vigil of Easter, Service of Light, St. Rita, Alexandria
8:00 p.m. -- Paschal Vigil Mass, MB Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
8:00 p.m. -- Easter Vigil, St. Peter Mission, Elmer
8:00 p.m. -- St. Peter Church, Bordelonville
8:00 p.m. -- St. Patrick Church, Ferriday
Easter Masses, Sunday, March 27
7:00 a.m. -- Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
8:00 a.m. -- St. Rita Church, Alexandria
8:00 a.m. -- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville
8:00 a.m. -- St. Michael Church, Rexmere
8:30 a.m. -- St. Louis Church, Glenmora
9:00 a.m. -- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria
9:00 a.m. -- Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
9:00 a.m. -- Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
9:30 a.m. -- Mass followed by Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 7 and under,
St. Rita Church, Alexandria
9:30 a.m. -- St. Peter Church, Bordelonville
10:00 a.m. -- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville
10:30 a.m. -- Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
11:00 a.m. -- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria
11:00 a.m. -- St. Rita Church, Alexandria
11:00 a.m. -- Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
11:00 a.m. -- St. Jude Mission, Sieper
11:30 a.m. -- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville
12:30 p.m. -- Spanish Mass, St. Rita Church, Alexandria
4:30 p.m. -- Holy Vespers, Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
5:00 p.m. -- Traditional Latin Mass, Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches
5:30 p.m. -- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria
5:30 p.m. -- Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria
6:00 p.m. -- St. Rita Church, Alexandria
7:00 p.m. -- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville
PAGE 20
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
St. Mary’s Residential Training School opens new behavior unit
By Jeannie Petrus
CT editor
St. Mary’s Residential Training School held an open house
March 3 for a new, one-of -a-kind
residential unit designed specifically for individuals diagnosed
with intellectual and developmental disabilities and who also
display significant problem behavior.
The new 10-bed “behavior”
unit is designed to provide ample
personal space for each of the residents, many of whom will have
their own bedroom.
According to Tony L. “Bo”
Vets II, programs director at St.
Mary’s, individuals diagnosed
with intellectual disabilities and 9 BEDROOMS at the new behavior unit feature single bed accommodations,
autism may exhibit different except one, (pictured) that will accommodate two residents in one room.
types of problem behavior, such
as physical aggression, self-injury, or pica (digesting inedible ent for the open house.
The goal of the behavior
objects).
The new behavior unit in- unit is to incorporate and utilize
“Giving these individuals cludes 10 bedrooms, of which principles of applied behavior
their own personalized space with nine are single rooms and one is analysis (ABA) to teach activiplenty of opportunities to engage large enough for two residents. ties of daily living and replace the
in habilitative active treatment Each bedroom shares a full bath- problem behaviors with skills that
and leisure activities may help room with another bedroom.
serve the same function.
them learn more appropriate
This will be accomplished
The unit houses a library and
forms of behavior,” he said.
quiet area for the residents who through a lower resident to staff
This is why St. Mary’s re- prefer this type of setting, while ratio (one staff person to one or
cently converted the old on- on the other end of the unit a two residents, depending on the
campus convent, which was most movie and activity room is set up residents’ needs) and specialrecently used as office space, into for the residents who prefer noise ized training and assistance from
the new behavior unit.
and stimulation.
St. Mary’s onsite ABA Learning
Bishop Ronald Herzog
The unit also has a gated out- Center.
blessed and dedicated the new fa- door pavilion and a common dinThe unit was made possible
cility March 3 with many parents, ing area, as well as office space through grants and generous doemployees
and benefactors
pres- for unit staff and nurses.
nors including the Virginia MarBUDGET BLINDS
1cx4 REV2016_BBL-04-0
the first resident to move in to the new behavior unit at St. Mary’s
Residential Training School, sorts letters with his aide.
tin Howard Foundation, Community Network Inc., The Fore!
Kids Foundation, Mr. Robert
Hecker, The Front Foundation,
Mr. Ron Chauffe, ElectriMech,
Mr. Thomas and Lisa Long, Mr.
James “Jim” Rives III, Proctor &
Gamble Company, and The Rhomas H. & Mame P. Scott Foundation.
The behavior unit was also
dedicated in loving memory of
David Courville, who lovingly
gave of his time and talent to help
draft the plans for the renovations
and guiding it through the mountains of red tape before becoming
ill and passing away after only a
few short months.
“David Courville had a big
heart and was passionate about
providing the best care for the
residents at St. Mary’s”, said
Christi Guillot, interim administrator at St. Mary’s. “We dedicate
this behavior unit in his memory.”
Family and friends of David
Courville were present for the
dedication, blessing, and open
house.
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CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 21
Miracles from Heaven tells remarkable story, even skeptics can’t dismiss
By John Mulderig
Catholic News Service
(CNS) -- The fact-based
drama “Miracles From Heaven”
(Columbia) tells a remarkable
story.
Though
director
Patricia Riggen’s screen version of
Christy Beam’s 2015 memoir
is clearly designed for believers
-- and sometimes feels padded -even dedicated skeptics may have
trouble dismissing its underlying
narrative.
A wife and the mother of
three daughters, Christy (Jennifer
Garner) is going about her everyday life in the Fort Worth area
of Texas when tragedy strikes
without warning: Her 10-year-old
middle daughter Annabel (Kylie
Rogers) develops an unexplained
but seemingly unshakable illness.
Alarmed, Christy refuses to
accept the series of more or less
casually delivered misdiagnoses
from unfocused doctors with
which she’s presented. And eventually, the grim truth emerges.
Annabel’s symptoms are identified as stemming from pediatric
chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, or CIPO, a rare, painful and incurable condition that
prevents the body from digesting
food.
Persistent Christy now fo-
MOVIE
REVIEW
MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN. Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah and Kylie Rogers star in a scene from the movie “Miracles From Heaven.” The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture
Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
(CNS photo/Columbia Pictures)
cuses on obtaining the care of one
of the few specialists in CIPO, Dr.
Samuel Nurko (Eugenio Derbez).
However, although kindly and
caring, Dr. Nurko proves powerless to combat the disease -- and
Annabel’s death sentence stands.
Although Christy and her
easygoing veterinarian husband,
Kevin (Martin Henderson), are
dedicated churchgoers -- John
Carroll Lynch plays their goodhumored pastor -- Christy’s faith
crumbles in the face of Annabel’s
current torment and impending
demise. She finds herself unable
to pray. She’s also deeply angered
by the misguided notions of some
fellow parishioners who seem to
entertain a pre-Christian understanding of the connection between sin and misfortune.
Yet a startling, almost inexplicable, turnaround awaits
Christy -- one which is certainly
providential if not indeed miraculous.
Though it may be aimed at
a self-selecting audience of the
already convinced, screenwriter
Randy Brown’s script minimizes
neither its protagonist’s crisis of
doubt nor the larger mystery of
innocent suffering.
The dialogue also takes a
wide view of what counts as a divinely inspired marvel, highlighting the above-and-beyond kindness shown to Christy and her
clan by an ensemble of secondary
characters. The most significant
of these is Angela (Queen Latifah), a gregarious waitress who
takes an instant -- and cheering
-- shine to Annabel.
While squeaky clean as far as
the normal array of objectionable
elements is concerned, “Miracles
From Heaven” nonetheless includes both subjects and sights
that make it inappropriate for the
youngest viewers.
The film contains mature
themes as well as potentially upsetting incidents and medical procedures. Rated PG.
Spotlight wins Oscar for Best Picture of the Year
Vatican says movie about clergy abuse scandal is not ‘anti-Catholic’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -The Vatican newspaper said the
Oscar-winning film, “Spotlight,”
is not anti-Catholic.
“It is not an anti-Catholic
movie, as has been written, because the film succeeds in giving
voice to the alarm and deep pain”
experienced by the Catholic faithful when a team of investigative
newspaper reporters in Boston
revealed the scandal of clerical
abuse, said the article published
Feb. 29 in L’Osservatore Romano.
The paper said it was also
a “positive sign” when Michael
Sugar, the movie’s producer, said
he hoped the film would “resonate all the way to the Vatican.”
In his acceptance speech at
the 88th annual Academy Awards
Feb. 28, Sugar said the movie
“gave a voice to survivors, and
this Oscar amplifies this voice.”
He then expressed hopes this
voice would “become a choir that
will resonate all the way to the
Vatican.”
The fact there was such an
appeal, the Vatican newspaper
said, was “a positive sign” because it shows “there is still trust
in the institution (of the church),
there is trust in a pope who is continuing the cleanup begun by his
predecessor.”
“There is still trust in a faith
that has at its heart the defense of
victims, the protection of the innocent,” said the article, written
by Lucetta Scaraffia, a professor
of contemporary history and a
frequent contributor to the Vatican newspaper.
“Spotlight” won two awards:
one for best picture and one for
best original screenplay. The film
documents the Boston Globe’s
investigation into the scandal and
cover-up of the sexual abuse of
minors by clergy in the Archdiocese of Boston.
The Vatican newspaper said
the film does not touch on the
“long and tenacious fight” by
then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, in
launching action against abusers
in the church.
“But a film can’t say everything, and the difficulties
that Ratzinger encountered only
confirm the premise of the film,
that is, that too often the church
institution did not know how to
respond with the necessary determination before these crimes,”
the article said.
While children are vulnerable to abuse in many other places,
like in the family, school or sports
teams, it said, “it is now clear that
too many in the church were more
worried about the image of the institution than the seriousness of
the act.”
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 22
MARCH 21, 2016
Diocesan Steubenville South group
Steubenville South and the Diocese of Alexandria are
excited to offer a Diocesan Steubenville South Group this
year. If your parish does not have an active youth ministry
program, the youth of your parish can attend Steubenville
with this group. Clayton Cobb and his wife Carrie, will be
the group leaders. The package price of $200 per person
includes:
• hotel room at Holiday Inn Express (4 to room)
for Friday and Saturday night
• all meals
• all conference registration fees
To register, individuals should go to: https://form.jotform.
com/50477174098160
-- Fr. Jose Robles Sanchez, Steubenville South
April 1-3: Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat
A Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat will be held April 1-3 in
Lafayette. Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is an extraordinary
opportunity for any person who struggles with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. The weekend is a
unique and effective process designed specifically to help
you experience the mercy and compassion of God. The
weekend will help your soul find a voice and transform the
pain of the past into hope! For more information and to
register, contact Trista at 337.261.5607 or email tlittell@
diolaf.org. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.
DIOCESAN
BRIEFS
on holidays and with prayers.
suffers from scoliosis infantile and Allgroves
Synd
which causes trouble with her eyes, body
glands, and swallowing. She has had 12 surgeries to correct her spine.
April 10: Queen of Mercy Sunday
The Knights of Columbus of Natchitoches
Come celebrate Queen of Mercy Sunday, a local private devotion, on Sunday, April 10 at the Maryhill Retreat
Chapel. Confessions will be at 2 p.m., Rosary and Chaplets at 2:30 and Sunday Mass at 3:15. All are welcome.
Priests are asked to bring their own albs.
April 13: Josh Blakesley concert
The Diocese of Alexandria and St. Joseph Church
in Marksville will host a Josh Blakesley Band Concert
on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph Church Hall.
The cost is FREE and open to everyone. Come enjoy the
Catholic music of our own local award-winning recording
artist, who is widely known across the country.
served seafood gumbo as their annual Lenten meal this year.
Gumbo was on sale at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
in February and March. The gumbo was served hot every other
Friday night and frozen to take home on alternating Fridays.
Pictured are L-R: Ray Ponthieux, Joe Roque, John Vercher,
Micheal Yankowski and Rob Watson. Not pictured are: Buford
Grappe and Charles Lee.
tion and experience in pro-life work. Contact Alexandra
Seghers of LA Right to Life, at alex@prolifelouisiana.org
or 1.866.463.5433.
April 23: Magnificat Brunch
April 9: Catechetical Quiz Bowl
April 14: Adult Faith Formation Series
The Catechetical Quiz Bowl will be held Saturday,
April 9 at 10 a.m. at Maryhill Renewal Center. Registration is $10 per team. The Bible Quiz Bowl, (for students in
grades 6-8), is sponsored by the Office of Religious Formation and Training. For more information, email emccullough@diocesealex.org or call 318-445-6424, ext 251.
The Spirituality and Education Commission at Our
Lady of Prompt Succor in Alexandria will offer an Adult
Faith Formation series once a month, throughout 2016.
• The April presentation will be held April 14 from
6:30 -7:30 p.m. at the Divine Providence Center. Offficer
Chad Gremillion will speak on “Keeping Our Kids Safe:
The Real Dangers of the Internet.” The series is free and
open to the public. Childcare is provided for newborns
through 8 years old in the church nursery.
CENLA Magnificat will host a brunch April 23 from
10 a.m. -noon at St. Mary’s Assumption Church Hall in
Cottonport.
The guest speaker will be Dorinda Bordlee, a pro-life
lawyer dedicated to the protecion of life from conception to natural death. She will share her story of how God
moved in her life and her heart to protect His people. She
has dedicated her law practice to sanctity of life constitutional issues since 1994.
Tickets are $18 in advance and must be purchased by
April 10. No tickets sold at the door. For tickets call Mary
Wilson @ 318-359-7735.
April 15-17: Camp Joshua
April 23: Cabrini Crawfish Boil
Louisiana Camp Joshua (LCJ), a weekend pro-life
camp to train high school students to be pro-life leaders,
Dates for Camp Joshua 2016
• Baton Rouge: April 15-17
• Covington: April 29-May 1
At Camp Joshua, you will experience top-notch
workshops, classes, and activities, and you’ll learn from
the nation’s leading pro-life experts. You’ll also make
great pro-life friends and have a ton of fun! More than
just listening and observing, you’ll get hands-on interac-
St. Frances Cabrini Church invites you to help celebrate Fr. Chad Partain’s 40th birthday with a Cabrini
Crawfish Boil on Saturday, April 23 from 5:30 -9 p.m. on
the church grounds. $100 provides crawfish with sides and
non-alcoholic beverages for two adults. Tickets are $30
for children ages 12-16. (No children under 12 will be
admitted due to space limitations and alcohol.) Live auction and door prizes given throughout the evening. Tickets
are available for purchase at www.cabrinischool.com or
through the school office. Proceeds benefit the school.
CDA 2029 selects CDA Kid
Catholic Daughters (Msgr.
Van der Putten) Court #2029 of
Mark
elected 11-yearold
as
CDA
kid for the second year.
and
her family, Don and Aimee Dupuy, attend St. Genev
Church
in Brouillette, where
is an
altar server.
The CDA Kids program enables each diocese to chose one child, 12 years or younger,
who has a life-threatening illness or is underprivileged.
Throughout the year, the child is remembered with gifts
Louis Lowrey, M.A.
Correction
Bishop Ronald Herzog was presented with a check Feb. 9 for
the Priests Retirement Fund (not
the seminarian fund) by John
Morovich, past Grand Knight of
Bishop Charles Greco 3rd Degree Council #1134.
P.O. Box 5624
Alexandria, LA 71307
3306 Giamanco Street
Phone: (318) 473-8751
Fax: (318) 473-4045
EMail: DonaldJBaker@aol.com
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Donald J. Baker, ACF/RF/CF
CONSULTING FORESTER
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Offices located at 207 Church Street, Natchitoches
(318) 332-8422 • Pager (318) 252-2945
lowrey@cp-tel.net
Mail: 109 Royal Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457
CHURCH TODAY
MARCH 21, 2016
PAGE 23
March - April
Monday
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
23
Chrism Mass
11:00 a.m.
St. Francis Xavier
Cathedral, Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. A. THOMPSON
28
Thursday
Friday
24
Lenten Series
with Fr. Chad Partain
6:00 p.m.
St. Frances Cabrini
Church, Alexandria
PRAY FOR MSGR. J. TIMMERMANS
29
PRAY FOR FR. A. TRAVIS
30
DIOCESAN OFFICES
CLOSED
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
27
Start Novena
for Divine Mercy
HOLY THURSDAY
PRAY FOR FR. G. UZONDU
31
Pro-Life
Oratory Contest
6:00 p.m.
Westside Library,
Alexandria
GOOD FRIDAY
PRAY FOR FR. A. VARGHESE
APRIL
1
HOLY SATURDAY
PRAY FOR FR. V. VEAD
2
Confirmation
4:30 p.m.
St. Alphonsus Church,
Hessmer
EASTER SUNDAY
PRAY FOR FR. N. VIVIANO
3
Confirmation
5:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s Assumption
Church, Cottonport
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat -- Lafayette
EASTER MONDAY
PRAY FOR FR. J. XAVIER
4
PRAY FOR FR. K. ZACHARIAH
5
VIRTUS Training
6:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Assumption
Church, Cottonport
PRAY FOR FR. A. AELAVANTHARA
PRAY FOR FR. W. AJAERO
6
FIRST FRIDAY
PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG
7
Confirmation
6:00 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel
Church, Leesville
8
FIRST SATURDAY
PRAY FOR FR. T. ALLEN
Catechetical
Quiz Bowl
10:00 a.m.
St. Joseph Catholic
Center, Alexandria
9
SUNDAY of
DIVINE MERCY
PRAY FOR FR. J. ANTONY
Confirmation
6:00 p.m.
St. Rita Church,
Alexandria
10
Queen of Mercy
2:00 p.m.
Maryhill Renewal Center
Menard Theater presents Damn Yankees! -- Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center, Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. S. BRANDOW
11
PRAY FOR FR. D. BRAQUET
12
PRAY FOR FR. J. BROCATO
13
Josh Blakesley Band
FREE Concert
6:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church,
Marksville
PRAY FOR FR. S. CHEMINO
14
Adult Faith
Formation Series
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. D. COOK
15
PRAY FOR FR. D. CORKERY
16
Confirmation
5:30 p.m.
St. Edward Church,
Tallulah
PRAY FOR FR. J. CUNNINGHAM
17
Confirmation
5:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor Church, Alexandria
Camp Joshua -- Baton Rouge
PRAY FOR FR. W. DECOSTE
18
PRAY FOR FR. A. FIGREDO
PRAY FOR FR. D. DEJESUS
19
VIRTUS Training
6:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic
Center, Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. R. GARRIONE
PRAY FOR FR. B. DESHAUTELLE
20
Menard
Fine Arts Night
5:00 p.m.
Holy Savior Menard High
School, Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. J. GOOTEE
PRAY FOR FR. J. DESIMONE
21
PRAY FOR FR. W. GEARHEARD
PRAY FOR FR. P. FAULK
22
Confirmation
6:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Church,
Natchitoches
PRAY FOR FR. R. GREMILLION
PRAY FOR FR. J. FERGUSON
23
Confirmation
5:00 p.m.
St. Paul the Apostle
Church, Mansura
Cabrini Crawfish Boil
5:30-9:00 p.m.
St. Frances Cabrini
Church, Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. J. HASIEBER
PRAY FOR FR. T. FEY
24
Confirmation
11:30 a.m.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Church, Pineville
PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG